VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS

Tour Duration: 11 days

Accommodation: Hotels 

Day 1:  Arrival Hanoi airport

After arrival at the airport you will be given the chance to discover some of Hanoi's highlights. We start with the Vietnam museum of Ethnology where you can get an idea about the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam and visit some typical rebuilt houses at the outdoor museum. Next we will visit the Temple of Literature. Then transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2:  Hanoi – Hue (B-L)

This morning, we take an early flight to Hue.

We explore Hue by enjoying a morning boat cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, a symbol of the city. Hue is also very famous for its historical relics including King’s tomb. Your boat will stop by Minh Mang tomb, one of the nicest King’s tombs which is set in harmony of Earth, Heaven, Green trees, Water and monuments. Your driver will collect you at Minh Mang for lunch at a garden restaurant of Biet Phu Thao Nhi.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Forbidden Purple City, the former home of the Royal family during the Nguyen dynasty from 19^th century to mid 20^th century. Although most palaces were destroyed during the American War (Vietnamese War) especially in Tet offensive (1968), this place is still worth a visit with many palaces and temples.

Overnight in Hue 

Day 3:  Hue – Hoi An (B)

In the morning, you will take a 4-hour drive to Hoian, a charming old town which was is as a World Natural Heritage site. On the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass, Cham sculpture museum and Marble mountain. We then check-in at our hotel in Hoi An.

In the afternoon, we take a tour of the historic pagodas, houses and bridges of Hoi An. This is Vietnam’s most enchanting town, an ancient trading port of narrow streets, historic buildings, fine food and abundant shops. The influence of many countries can be seen as you wander the streets, including the Chinese, Japanese, French, Portuguese and of course Vietnamese. Great efforts are being made to preserve the town for  new generations and cars have been banned from the most popular streets. There are many important sights in compact Hoi An and all can be explored on foot. The most popular destination include the Japanese covered bridge, dating from 1593, a number of historic Chinese merchant houses preserved in their original 19^th century state, such as Tan Ky House and 77 Tran Phu, and several important congregation halls originally established by Chinese immigrants to the port of Faifo as it was then known.

Overnight in Hoi An 

Day 4:   Hoi An – Hochiminh City (B)

AM: Morning at your leisure.

PM: Flight to Hochiminh city. Free at your leisure.

Overnight in Hochiminh city.

Day 5: Saigon- Cu Chi (B)

In the morning, we take a drive to visit the Cu Chi- a fabulous tunnel. These tunnels are a symbol of Vietnam’s continual fight against foreign oppression and imperialism. The tunnel system covers close to 200 km including under what was once a US air base. The tunnels once spanned an area stretching from close to the Cambodian border to the city limits of Hochiminh  City. They were originally constructed to fight against the French in the 1940s, to give a peasant army a means of communication between villages whilst remaining undetected. In 1960 the Viet Cong repaired and added to the tunnels to fight against the South Vietnamese and American forces. The Commander of the American forces in the region held the opinion that the Viet Cong who were responsible for digging them were like human moles.

Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hochiminh city .

Day 6: Saigon- Cai Be- Can Tho (B, L)

In the morning we drive south to Cai Be. Upon arrival, start our private cruise excursion, departing from our own pier in Phu An hamlet at around 10.00 am. Upon embarkation, you are welcomed with fresh cotton towels. The tour will begin with the Cai Be colorful floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables... Cruising further, your sampan will bring you to see some local home factories to discover traditional rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and longans drying process.

A delicious lunch will await you at a superb Indochinese villa, Le Longanier, located in a luxuriant garden by the river…

After lunch, your sampan will proceed the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep. On the way, you will be able observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Visit an ancient mandarin house dating from the 19th century where the family will welcome you with a cup a tea.

We will proceed to Vinh Long, passing beautiful landscapes along Dong Phu canal, Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh islands famous for their fruit orchards. After crossing the Co Chien River, the excursion will end at Vinh Long pier around 4pm.

Overnight at hotel

Day 7: Can Tho - Hochiminh  City – Siem Reap - Cambodia (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by an early boat trip to the bustling wholesale Cai Rang & Phong Dien floating markets where the farmers exchange their products.  A walk on a peaceful country road provides magnificent sceneries of local houses, orchard gardens and fields. Don’t be surprised if you are invited by a local family to join them for a cup of tea!  We will have lunch at a local restaurant before driving back directly to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Angkor highlights (B)

We rise early to travel to Ta Prohm in the dawn light. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

After soaking up the unique atmosphere of Ta Prohm, we continue to the giant pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area. Built at the end of the 10^th century, it was never completed. Some scholars contend this was due to an inauspicious lightning strike during construction. Others have suggested the high quality sandstone was simply too hard to carve in detail.

This morning we also visit the remains of an old Angkorian bridge which once spanned the Siem Reap river. Like the Romans before them, the Khmer kings built long, straight roads connecting the outposts of their empire and these included many magnificent bridges. There is also the option to visit the smaller temples of Chau Sey Devada and Thommanon for avid temple enthusiasts.

In the afternoon, we travel through the traditional village of Preah Dak to the 12^th century temple of Banteay Samre. Built by King Suryavarman II, the genius behind Angkor Wat, this temple has been extensively restored. The temple is unique in that over-quarrying of sandstone led to the use of laterite for the roofed corridors. The pediments above the inner doors here include some of the most accomplished carving from the Angkor period.

We continue further north to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man.

Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture.

Overnight in Siem Reap 

Day 9:  Angkor Wat exploration. Night flight to Hanoi (B)

Rising early, we journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12^th century by King Suryavarman II, this is the most famous temple at Angkor. We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are one of the world’s longest unbroken pieces of art. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all. Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Watt, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that few moments will measure up.

In the afternoon, we visit the immense walled city Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The causeway is lined by an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology in which the devas (gods) and asuras (devils) play tug of war with a naga (seven-headed serpent) to obtain the elixir of immortality.

We begin our visit at the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11^th century. It has undergone a massive renovation by the French and is now once again open for viewing.

We end off at the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Buddha. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire. Before clambering upwards, we unravel the mysteries of the bas-reliefs, with their intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and their snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.

Then, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Airport pick up then transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10:   Hanoi – Free day (B)

A free day at your leisure.

This evening, we will attend a traditional Water Puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form designed to depict scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 11:  Departure (B)

Have more free time in Hanoi until your transfer to the airport for your flight home. Trip ends.

End of services

3 star                2 people per person sharing                 $        1,764.00

                         4 people per person sharing                 $        1,448.00

4 star                2 people per person sharing                 $        1,868.00

                         4 people per person sharing                 $        1,552.00

5 star                2 people per person sharing                 $        2,199.00

                         4 people per person sharing                 $        1,883.00

PRICE INCLUDES:

All land transportation and transfers as per itinerary

 English-speaking tour guide

Accommodation in quality 3, 4 or 5 star hotels.

Boat trip on Perfume River in Hue.

Meals as indicated.

All entrance fees and permits as per itinerary.

Domestic flights (economy class): Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Saigon.

PRICE EXCLUDES:

International air tickets and associated taxes.

Flight Saigon-- Hanoi ($ 435.00)

Meals not specified on the itinerary.

Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.

Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.

Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

CONDITIONS:

Tour must be paid in full at time of booking and is subject to availability

Price applies to a minimum of two people per person sharing

Price applies to tours undertaken before 31 July 2009

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